WEST Yorkshire Police is asking local people to help it solve a `mounting problem'.

WEST Yorkshire Police is asking local people to help it solve a `mounting problem'.

The police force's mounted section is desperately seeking new `recruits' following the retirement of some of its longest-serving horses.

These include Stormin Norman who took off to America last year when he was flown to pastures new by the United States Army.

There are 18 working horses in the police mounted section.

But more are needed and people are being asked to help rebuild the section to full strength by donating suitable horses.

They need to be of good health and a minimum of 16 hands two inches high. No specific breed is required.

Previous owners can pay regular visits to Carr Gate, the police force's Operations Support Unit to see donated horses and find out how they are getting on in their new home.

Insp Trevor Thackray said although relatively small in number, the horses took on an important role in policing the area.

"I cannot express enough gratitude to the people who have kindly donated horses in the past. They have ensured that we can concentrate on the priority concern of policing the force and not balancing budgets."

Owners interested in selling or donating a horse to the mounted section should contact Insp Thackray on 01924 293142.